The Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association has issued a stern warning to the state government, announcing a complete shutdown of all medical services for two days in December if their long-standing demands are not met.
Complete Medical Services Shutdown Announced
In a decisive move, the HCMS Association declared that all medical services, including OPD, emergency, post-mortem, labour room, and operation theatre facilities, will be completely closed on December 8 and 9. The association further cautioned that if the government fails to resolve the issues, an indefinite strike will commence from December 10 onward.
Dr. Rajesh Khyalia, President of the HCMS Association, stated clearly that any inconvenience caused to the public will be the sole responsibility of the government. This announcement came following a meeting of the State Action Committee held on Sunday, where members expressed strong resentment against what they described as the government's "insensitive and callous" approach toward their genuine demands.
Key Issues Behind the Impending Strike
The doctors feel betrayed by the non-fulfillment of assurances given by the government more than a year ago. One of the primary pending matters involves the government's earlier promise to stop direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) and instead fill all such posts through promotion after amending service rules.
Despite this commitment, the association highlighted that 200 of the 644 SMO posts remain vacant, with 160 positions still blocked for direct recruitment due to the lack of rule amendments. The association has consistently proposed that specialists should not be appointed directly to SMO administrative posts, suggesting alternative compensatory measures instead.
Career Progression Delays Fuel Anger
Another major concern involves the long-standing demand for Assured Career Progressions (ACPs). While the association initially sought four ACPs at 4, 9, 13, and 20 years of service aligned with central norms, they later agreed to a revised structure of three ACPs at 5 years (6600 GP), 10 years (8000 GP), and 15 years (9500 GP).
Although this revised proposal received approval from both the chief minister and the finance department, it has yet to be formally notified. Dr. Khyalia emphasized that the government's continuous delays have once again pushed doctors toward agitation, leaving them with no option but to proceed with the planned strike action.
